LATEST: Marham abduction detectives set up witness hotline

Military police patrol close to RAF Marham in Norfolk, after a serviceman was threatened with a knife near to the base. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2016. Officers were on patrol around RAF Marham on Wednesday evening after he was threatened with the blade. See PA story POLICE Serviceman. Photo credit should read: Chris Radburn/PA Wire EMN-160721-132136001

Published:17:43Thursday 21 July 2016

Detectives investigating the attempted abduction of a serviceman near RAF Marham yesterday afternoon have set up a dedicated hotline for anyone with information to come forward.

Police are urging members of the public to call 0800 0560154 or 0207 1580011, particularly if they saw a dark people carrier in the King’s Lynn area yesterday afternoon.

Police seal off a section of Ladywood Road close to RAF Marham in Norfolk, after a serviceman was threatened with a knife near to the base. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2016. Officers were on patrol around RAF Marham on Wednesday evening after he was threatened with the blade. See PA story POLICE Serviceman. Photo credit should read: Sam Russell/PA Wire EMN-160721-132319001

The man, who is in his late 20s, was out on a run between 2.55pm and 3.26pm when he was approached by two men and grabbed by one.

The first assailant is said to have shouted at him before grabbing his shoulder and wrist and pulling him with a degree of force into the road. The victim fought off the attacker, who fell to the ground after a short scuffle.

The second suspect came into view at this point and was seen to be holding a knife, which had a three inch black blade and a three inch black handle, which has not been located yet.

Having seen his accomplice on the floor the second suspect went to his aid and the victim ran to get help, alerting the RAF Marham police.

Detective Superintendent Paul Durham, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: “Tracing the vehicle is a priority for the investigation and I would urge anyone who may have seen a dark coloured people carrier in the King’s Lynn area, in particular around Marham, yesterday afternoon to contact police on the dedicated hotlines.

“While the victim was unhurt he is naturally shaken by yesterday’s incident and continues to receive support from his family, the police and personnel at RAF Marham.

“There is no evidence at this stage to suggest terrorism as a motive; we cannot discount it but equally there are other plausible lines of enquiry to follow.

“CCTV is an area of investigation and we are also following up several sightings of the vehicle described in the West Norfolk area.”

At an earlier news conference, police said they were not ruling out the possibility that the incident was terrorism-related, but stressed that other possibilities were being investigated as well.

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